The Alpha Wants Everything Book 1 The King's Queen

Friday morning came faster than Dax wanted it to, she didn’t feel rested when her body started to stir. She was stiff and sore and the remnants of the headache she had last night were still clouding her mind. She blinked a few times to bring their room into focus, but something seemed off. Not being able to put her finger on it she blinked a few more times and looked around. HOLY FUCK!!! She was still at the warehouse. She looked at her phone, 6:30 in a big white font stared back at her, taunting her, she could hear it laughing at her and her stupidity. Panicking, she started making phone calls. She called Kane, he didn’t pick up, she messaged him, saying she was sorry. She called Johnny, she called Damon, Carter, Marco and Kenneth. Nobody was picking up their phones. Think stupid girl, think what do I do? Dodger! She’ll call Dodger, he escorted her there and said she should call him when she’s done. She meant to be done hours ago though, not a 6:30 in the fucking morning. She was in so much trouble. Kane is probably ripping the house apart looking for her.

“DODGER!” She yelled a little too loudly and panicked into the phone when he picked up. She was just thankful he picked up, no one else was.

“Sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be here that long” she didn’t want him to get in trouble this was her fault not his.

“I got a headache last night, and put my head down, but I guess I ended up falling asleep. I’m so sorry Dodger, you’re not gonna get in trouble are you?” She asked, she had tried to call Kane to come and get her and she left a message for him but he never picked up or replied back. Dax was trying to listen to what Dodger was saying but her mind was racing with all the ways Kane was going to kill her. He’s gonna lock me in a room. He should, he really should! Just breathe, it was an accident! We’re in deep trouble Wolfie!

“Why didn’t someone wake me up then?” She asked, Dodger had come back to check on her, but found her sleeping. Not being allowed to touch Luna he had no choice but to leave her there. Oh Fuck! This is bad, this is bad, this is so fucking bad!

“Ok, I won’t leave the warehouse” she nodded her head like an idiot. Cause he’s gonna be able to see that! Not helping! Sorry! She disconnected with Dodger, he said he would call Damon and let him know. Hopefully Damon could talk some sense into Kane before she got to the house. Maybe she should stay here and let him cool off first. Are you crazy? He will flip out even more. He will come here and drag your ass back to the house caveman style! Still not helping! Well that was a dumb idea!

Kane woke the next morning around 7, she wasn’t in the bed with him. Figuring where she was he took his time getting up. Stretching out his back. She was restless last night moving around the bed and kept him up with her, he wasn’t sure what time he fell asleep nor was he sure what time she got up, but she would be tired again today. Small growls would release from her periodically through the night until she quieted down after Ky growled back. Seemed to comfort her wolf, to know that he was there close by. Maybe that’s what he needed to do to help her through this, was let Ky have control at night. I’m all for it! Down fido! What? I like being helpful as well! That’s not the kind of help she needs! It would be fun! Horny mutt! Maybe he would talk to her about biting her and putting an end to this, he didn’t like what it was doing to her, or maybe there was a way to slow it down or make her wolf sleep at night, he had to do something. Kane got out of the bed finding his jeans and his shirt from the night before. You’d think she would be too tired after last night’s activities, but apparently wolfie was very active and only getting more active.

After he exited the bathroom, he made his way to the attic, she was probably multi-coloured by now.

“Baby, we really need to talk abo-” When Kane reached the top of the stairs and didn’t see her at one of her desks, he had to tell himself not to panic. Maybe she went to get breakfast? Yeah, maybe, it was after 7, she probably got hungry and likes to help Margie make the pancakes! You mean eat the chocolate chips! Margie does give her her own bowl! Moving down the stairs to the kitchen he ran into Margie.

“Morning Margie! Where’s Luna?” He asked, she smiled pleasantly when she saw him.

“Morning Alpha! Haven’t seen her yet today.” The older wolf replied, as she continued to make the batter for the pancakes. He thanked her and moved into the dining room. She likes to sit and converse with some of the others as well, when he didn’t see her there, he moved to the library. He found her once or twice curled up with a book there. It was quiet, and needing peace she went there sometimes as well, but when he didn’t see her in the library he started to panic. Where the fuck is she? The garden? Or maybe the medical ward? Ky sounded worried as well. Would she go back to the medical ward without him? Maybe she was downstairs and something happened and she needed to go. Someone would have told him though. He checked the garden then ran across the yard to the medical ward, he really started to panic now.

“Damon, Dodger’s on the phone for you, he says it’s urgent” Lydia called as she opened the bathroom door interrupting his shower. Shutting the shower off, Damon grabbed the phone.

“Yeah!” Answering the phone as he was wrapping a towel around his waist.

“Uh huh!”

“No didn’t look” he replied,

“SHE’S WHERE?” Damon’s voice rose,

“How the fuck did she get there?” His voice was shocked, and slightly angry,

“She did?” He listened carefully to what Dodger was telling him, his anger subsiding. At least she was smart about it.

“Is she still there?”

“No, I’ll send Carter just stay with her till he gets there” Running his hands through his hair.

“I’ll take care of it” he didn’t want to be the one to tell Kane, shit was gonna hit the fan. Hell he might be the one to hit the fan when Kane went off.

“FUCK!” He yelled, disconnecting the call, only to call Carter.

“Carter….Carter….CARTER! Stop yelling at Brandon for five fucking seconds and listen” Damon yelled to get his attention.

“Feisty pants is at the warehouse” Damon cutting off whatever he was going on about,

“Carter….Carter….that fucker hung up on me, someone has to teach that boy proper phone etiquette” Damon huffed. He looked at his phone, sure enough two missed calls from Dax and one from Dodger. Fuck!

Quickly moving to get dressed, he gave Lydia a quick kiss and ran out of the room. He had to find Kane before he ripped the house apart looking for her. Running into Johnny on the way down the stairs.

“Where’s Kane?” Damon asked, still running down the stairs. This caused Johnny to run as well, something was up.

“I don’t know, probably looking for Dax again” Johnny replied,

“Well that’s gonna be a problem, he’s not gonna find her” Damon called over his shoulder,

“What do you mean? Why?” Johnny asked, growing more concerned,

“She’s not in the house, she’s at the warehouse. You’ll be replacing more than doors if I don’t find him before he rips this house apart looking for her” Damon said, they moved through the kitchen,

“She went to the warehouse by herself?” Johnny asked,

“When she couldn’t get a hold of any of us, she called the switchboard” Damon replied,

“Check the medical ward, she usually has an appointment in the morning” Johnny suggested.

Kane didn’t find her in the medical ward and ran back to the house, last time he was looking for her he found her in their closet hiding from the world, maybe she was there again. Taking the stairs two at a time he made it to their floor and ran to the room, throwing the closet door open and off its hinges he released a low growl when he didn’t find her. WHERE THE FUCK IS SHE? OFFICE, CHECK THE OFFICE, SHE HAS TO BE HERE! Ky was panicking as much as he was. Kane was fighting both Ky and his emotions. Trying to keep control of both. Running back down the stairs towards his office. Put a bigger fucking bell on that girl! Ky growled. I am locking her in a fucking room! Kane growled back. Wolves cleared out of his way, their Alpha was pissed as he stormed to his office, hoping she would be there. He tried linking her, but he knew she hadn’t fully figured out how to do that, not that it would matter with every thought firing in her brain he might not get through anyway. What if she’s not at the house? Ky asked the one question he was afraid to ask. No, she has to be here. She wouldn’t leave without one of us with her!

“Kane!” He heard Damon calling his name, but he didn’t stop moving.

“Kane stop!” Damon called again,

“What Damon? I’m busy” Kane growled at him,

“Busy looking for feisty pants?” Damon snapped back,

“What do you know?” Kane narrowed his eyes on him. Both Johnny and Damon ushered him back to the office, where Kenneth and Marco were waiting for them.

“Can someone tell us why Luna was calling us at midnight” Kenneth asked,

“What?” Kane looked at him,

“Did you even look at your phone?” Damon asked,

“Where is she, Damon?” Kane snarled,

“She’s not in the house, she’s at the warehouse….maybe, though she might be at the diner now” Damon replied, and backed away from Kane and waited for the reaction.

“SHE’S WHERE?” Kane roared,

“Before you freak the fuck out anymore, check your phone. She called all of us last night” Damon replied,

“If we’re all here how did she get there?” Kenneth asked,

“Dov’è Carter?” Marco asked,

“Did he go with her?” Johnny asked, concern lacing more into his words.

“No, but I imagine she tried to call him as well. I called him this morning and he was yelling at Brandon something fierce, something about his phone, he’s probably there now though” Damon answered,

“How did she get to the warehouse?” Kane growled out between clenched teeth.

“When she couldn’t get any of us, she called the switchboard, they put her in touch with Dodger” Damon said looking at him.

“I’m gonna rip him to pieces” Kane went to move towards the office door, Damon blocked his path.

“Stop! Just listen for fuck sakes. She called Dodger around 1 this morning, asked if he could take her to the warehouse, that’s his Luna of course he said yes. Told her to wait in the garage and he would let her know when he was at the bottom of the driveway. Him, Trevor and Brad gave her an escort to the warehouse. He had the sentries do a perimeter and interior check. She asked if they could stay close to the building and do roaming patrols, plus station sentries at all the doors. She only let him leave when she felt totally safe. She stayed inside the building and never left. Said she would only be a few hours, he told her to call him when she was ready to go.” Damon explained.

“Ok, so how is she still at the warehouse?” Kane asked, slightly calmer, she called her own security detail.

“She got a headache, the doctor told her not to do anything till it passed, she put her down and waited, she accidentally fell asleep. If you check your phone you’ll see missed calls from not only her, but Dodger as well. When he hadn’t heard from her he went to check on her. Found her asleep and tried to call us as well, but nobody picked up. He called in for warriors to show up. Placed them in the woods, around the building and on the roof. She called Dodger in a panic this morning when she couldn’t get a hold of anybody.” Damon finished.

Kane finally pulled out his phone and looked at it. He got a phone call from her around 4 and a text asking him to come get her, she had a headache and didn’t want to drive, and he slept through it. He ran his hands through his hair and released a deep breath.

“She did everything she could think of to keep herself safe, aside from the obvious which would have been to stay home. But she took every precaution, and she listened to the doctor. She could have tried to drive” Johnny said, Kane could only nod, he was angry but more at himself then her. Johnny was right, she did everything she could think of, including things they never thought to do, and she tried to call him several times.

“Is she still at the warehouse?” He asked,

“Probably not, Dodger said she was going to take everyone to get breakfast” Damon gave a half smile.

“Oh she is, is she?” Kane said looking at him,

“She said she was already in shit, so go big or go home” Damon held his hands up.

“Of course she did” he looked at his men standing in the room, the grins on their faces. His little mate caused shit, and they were all just loving that there was finally some excitement.

“Then let’s go get breakfast” They were already moving out the door, they didn’t need to be told twice.

Arriving at the diner he saw the closed sign facing out, but the diner was packed with his warriors.

“Apparently Glenda had to close down for breakfast service today” Johnny commented with a laugh.

“Looks like it,” Kane replied. They could hear the laughter coming out of the building the closer they got to it and saw Jack standing outside the door.

“Good morning boss!” Jack said slightly bowing his head to his Alpha, the town was busy today. They could hear low grumbles from some of the regulars that Glenda’s was closed for a private function this morning.

“Good morning Jack, since when did you moonlight as a bouncer for the local diner?” Kane asked,

“Since lil boss found herself in shit, and decided to feed us all. The owner said I should wait out here, she figured the top dog would show up soon, her words not mine” Jack said with a grin.

“The top dog!” Kane repeated, Jack’s grin just got bigger as he held the door open for him and the others to enter. The diner grew quiet when they saw their Alpha standing there.

“She’s in the kitchen handsome!” Glenda called, the glint in her eyes dancing with merriment. “That girl keeps you boys on your toes. It’s good for you, wouldn’t want life to get boring” Glenda added when he moved past her behind the counter. He couldn’t help the crooked smile on his face when she said that.

Standing at the entrance to the kitchen and watching the way she interacted with Murray, he never said anything, but she seemed to know what he wanted. That was when he noticed the scars around his neck.

“He was attacked by rogues, saving a young pup’s life” Glenda said coming up behind him. Kane looked at her, then turned his attention back to the kitchen.

“He was a Black Water Pack member, but didn’t like the way the Alpha ran his pack, not granting him lone wolf status, he left the pack and became a rogue instead. He was out in the woods when he came across this 1 year old pup sitting in the middle of a field. He could smell the other rogues closing in on him, and he got there first. He knew whose territory it was and threw back his head sounding an alert to tell them. They crushed his vocal chords, but the Alpha at the time got the message and came running. Taking Murray to the pack doctor they did everything they could to save his voice, but the damage was too extensive. Alpha Odin, made him a pack member so they could communicate” Kane snapped his head to look at Glenda.

“Thanked him for saving the boy’s life and asked if he wanted to stay on as a pack member. Murray politely declined, and Alpha Odin granted him lone wolf status, saying the Howlers would welcome him back should he ever choose, that was 25 years ago.” Kane never knew any of this. His dad never spoke of it.

“Who was the pup?” Kane asked, looking back at Murray

“Her brother! Murray sniffed him out the second he stepped foot in the diner, knew exactly who he was.” Glenda answered, “Said she smells like him, same blood, same family” she added, looking at Glenda one more time then back into the kitchen. He could hear Damon laughing in the diner.

“The Howlers will honour that debt, should Murray want to return to a pack.” Kane declared,

“I knew you were a good one. Told that girl so too. Now go talk to her before she drives herself insane.” Glenda patted his shoulder and left him there. He looked up and met the eyes of Murray. He bowed in acknowledgment and silently walked out of the kitchen after his mate. She has some serious explaining to do! Ky huffed in his head. Let’s just see what she says! He could see her biting her lip, waiting for him to fully enter the kitchen, when he did, before he could even utter a single word.

“I can explain” she blurted,

“This should be good!” He rubbed his forehead above his eye as he waited for her to start the explanation that would get her out of hot water.

“I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. I went to the attic, but I’m at a stand still on the art piece for you, because I don’t know what colour to make the other wolf. I tried to wake you up, I did, you swatted me.” she started,

“I swatted you?” That kind of shocked him. Asshole!

“Yes, you swatted me, said no you were too tired and go make art or something.” she replied,

“I told you to go make art or something?” Not how he thought she was going to start the explanation.

“I had things I could do, but everything I needed was at the warehouse. You wouldn’t wake up, so I called the others and nobody picked up. So I called the switchboard and they put me in touch with Dodger. He and two others came to get me and they took me to the warehouse, checked the grounds and the building. I didn’t want them too far away so I asked if they could stay close and have someone at the doors to the building. Dodger said he would take care of it” she was speaking fast and he was having a hard time keeping up.

Plus the bouncing bunny ears kept distracting him as she animatedly told him what happened.

“I didn’t mean to be there that long, I really didn’t. I got a headache and I did what the doctor said which was nothing. I tried to call you and text you and then I put my head down and waited for it to pass. I didn’t mean to fall asleep, it was a complete accident. I’m sorry, I’m so so so sorry. And I completely understand if you lock me in a room.” When she finished she took a big gulp of air and went back to biting her lip, waiting to see what he would say.

He stood there silently for a minute just looking at her. She was preparing herself for what would come next. She had it all figured out in her head. He would get mad, tell her she was never allowed to leave the grounds again and she would have to be ok with that. She fucked up, she fucked up big time. He crossed the kitchen in three strides and wrapped his arms around her.

“I’m sorry baby” He said as he held her to him.

“I unders….wait what?” She started to say she understood his decision, but when it registered what he said she was utterly confused, that was not what she saw happening in her head. Why is he apologizing? Maybe he hit his head? Her wolf was equally confused.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry I didn’t wake up when you tried to wake me up. I’m sorry I didn’t answer the phone when you tried to call or text. I understand it was an accident, and I’m not going to lock you in a room. You knew the risks, and did everything to ensure you would be safe” he continued to hold her to him, running his hand up and down her back. He’s fucking with me right? Don’t ask me, I’m just as shocked as you!

“No I’m not, but I would like to do that later” he whispered low to her, causing a small blush to creep across her face. He wasn’t mad, she was safe, she made sure she took the precautions to stay safe. It was an accident, if he wasn’t so tired he would have heard his phone and he would have come and got her.

“Now let’s get some breakfast, someone owes me a shower” cupping her chin and lifting her to face him, he pressed his lips to hers.

“Not in my kitchen, get out both of you” Glenda called, Kane broke the kiss cursing under his breath.

“Don’t take that tone with me, you might be the top dog on your grounds but this is my diner, I’m the tippy top here” hearing the amusement in her voice, Kane could only laugh at that.

Joining the others in the dining area, they sat in their usual booths at the back, watching everyone interact.

“How come Carter got steak?” Damon asked,

“He was mad when he showed up at the warehouse. Told me to never do that again and if I can’t get a hold of him then my ass stays at the fucking pack house.” Dax replied,

“So you bribed him with a steak to not be mad at you?” Johnny asked laughing,

“No, I told him he didn’t have to eat a salad with it, to make him stop being mad at me” She answered,

“That would be the way to that boy’s heart” Damon commented, causing them all to laugh.

“So you scared the fuck out of everybody this morning, what are you doing this afternoon?” Johnny asked, Dax sat there and thought about it for a second.

“Well, I have to pick up what I was working on at the warehouse, but then I thought I’d burn down town hall.” She replied,

“That wouldn’t surprise me!” Johnny remarked,

“I could drive a tractor through a barn or dye the town blue. I would sink a police cruiser in the lake, but that’s already been done.” She pressed her lips together as she looked back at Johnny, his jaw dropped.

“How did you hear about that?” He asked,

“I have my sources!” Was all she said. Kane couldn’t help but laugh at the look on Johnny’s face.

“Or….I could corale cows in the school, and use a bull to trash the bar….wait that’s already been done too.” She said as she looked beside her at Kane, who was no longer laughing.

“I can explain” he said, causing her grin to get wider

“I know, you wanted to be a cowboy” She started laughing, at the red flush that crept onto his cheeks.

****

He had watched from the shadows last night as she showed up at the warehouse. It would have been the perfect time to take his angel but he couldn’t, a small army was there with her. How many men did the tall one have? Who was he? Why did he need so many men? These questions swirled in his mind. At first he was grateful for the protection around his angel, now they were becoming an inconvenience to him, they were interfering with his plans. He had tried moving closer to the warehouse keeping to the shadows but they seemed to know he was there and he had to make a hasty retreat back to where he was. He watched the warehouse as the hours passed and when she didn’t come back out, he knew something had happened. The one that brought her showed back up looking for her. He spoke to a few of the men then entered the building only to come back out and start making phone calls. When more men with dogs started showing up he knew it was time to leave or he would be spotted. Those were big dogs. He’s never seen dogs that big before. What the hell kind of dogs were they? They had to be close to six feet tall. Who was the tall one?

He now stood on the other side of the street watching them through the diner window. They really were an army. The diner was packed with them, they even had a man on the door, not letting anybody in. Who the hell were these people? Why are they all so tall? He wasn’t small by any means, but these people were huge. When they walked down the block this morning she was dwarfed by them and they kept her completely hidden. He couldn’t even see the tips of her bunny ears. Something told him she still knew he was there. The way the others would look around, watching all the people on the sidewalks, they were diligent and aware of everything going on around them at all times. Holding onto that thought kept his mind at ease. His angel always knew when he was there. Getting to her now was going to be even harder than before and he kicked himself for behaving for so long. He should have taken her away from this life a long time ago but he didn’t and now he had to figure out how he was going to outsmart an army.

****

Kane had something he needed to take care of in town, before they headed back to the pack house for her day of relaxation. He gave her an hour and a half at the warehouse to finish what she could, and left no room for arguments when he walked out of the warehouse leaving her in the care of Carter.

“Why are we in a jewellery store?” Johnny asked as they wandered around the store.

“I never asked you to come along,” Kane replied. Why are we in a jewellery store? Even Ky was curious.

“True, but I’m the wheelman, so you could answer me or I could leave you in town and her day of relaxation is out the window” Johnny countered,

“What’s stopping me from taking the keys after I snap your neck?” Kane asked instead.

“The dead body on the floor that you would have to explain” Johnny grinned at him. Now he was really curious as to what they were doing there. Why are we looking at rings?

“She doesn’t have a last name.” Kane replied. She can have ours! That is the plan! I like this plan, pick that one! Ky was onboard, she was already theirs in the werewolf world, but he wanted her to be theirs in every world.

“You’re gonna ask her?” Johnny asked, looking at him, then looking towards the display case.

“It’s an idea!” Kane replied as he moved to a different display case. None of the rings he was seeing said his mate.

“Why?” Johnny asked,

“Why?” Kane looked at him a little confused by the question.

“Not why are you gonna ask her, why is it just an idea?” Johnny rephrased his question, he too was now looking at the rings.

“I’m not sure if it would be something she would want,” Kane replied, moving on to another display case. Nothing in this store said her and Kane was starting to get frustrated.

“Did you ever ask her why she never gave herself a last name when she gave herself a first one?” Kane paused when Johnny asked that question. No he never did, he never thought to ask that question. “Maybe a tattoo, less chance of losing it when we shift” He suggested after he saw the look cross Kane’s face. That was an idea, she’d never be able to lose it if it was permanently on her body.

“Nothing in this store says her anyway” Kane commented, releasing a frustrated huff.

“Well it’s hard to capture hellfire and put it in a ring” Johnny remarked, causing Kane to laugh. She certainly could be that.

“Is everything ok?” a small raspy drawl came from behind them. When they turned they saw a little girl no taller than Dax. Her hair, a mix of raven black and crimson red hung in loose natural curls around her shoulders, and neither Kane nor Johnny thought it was salon done. Like his mate, this little one had pointy little elf ears but unlike his mate she wasn’t doing anything to hide them. Earrings adorned them from lobes to the pointy tips and they could see the hint of a tattoo behind her left ear, but it was her turquoise eyes that really stood out to them.

“He’s not finding what he’s looking for” Johnny answered, Kane shot him a glare and Johnny just cracked a grin.

“Really! Because the frustration you can feel around the store wasn’t a dead give away.” She replied, though her tone dripped with sarcasm they could see the merriment dancing in her eyes. “What are you looking for?” She asked after she caught the look Kane shot Johnny after he laughed at her comment.

“A ring!” His reply was simple.

“Aww! That’s so sweet, you two make a good looking couple. But isn’t the engagement ring supposed to be a surprise?” She asked, arching her eyebrow at them, Johnny cracked up laughing again he couldn’t help it.

“I like her!” He choked out between fits of laughter.

“Ember, are you behaving?” An older man approached her,

“Yes Uncle Theo….I ain’t hit anybody yet” She replied and then added “I’d break my fucking fist if I did” when she looked them up and down then turned back to her uncle.

“Would you stay out of trouble and reign in that mouth of yours” He spoke to her, though he looked annoyed by her behaviour his tone was rather amused by her.

“I’m behaving, and you shouldn’t talk to me like that considering you’re using me as free slave labour. Pretty sure there’s laws about that” She fired back at him as he walked by her. He shot her a quick look before he disappeared into the back telling her again to behave herself.

“Ain’t that a bitch, come to visit my favorite uncle and the fucker puts me to work, then tells me, I have behave myself. That’s asking a little much now. He should be happy I ain’t hit anybody yet tod….does it count if you bounce someone’s head off a display case. Technically I didn’t hit him. Their head hit the display case. I just pushed it.” Ember asked, a look of concern crossing her face.

“Nope, don’t think that counts” Johnny replied, trying not to crack up anymore.

“Good then I ain’t hit anybody today. I’ve been told I’m not a people person, so I’m trying to meet new people, I think I’m doing pretty good. I only hit four people yesterday and five the day before. But, there’s some bitch running around town with a voice that makes cat scratches on the blackboard sound like music, I don’t like her very much. I ran into her at the diner, I’d like to bounce her head off a few display cases.” That caused Kane to crack a grin, releasing some of his frustration.

“Ember Sheppard” She introduced herself,

“Kane Mckenna, this is my friend Johnny Masters” Kane extended his hand, they caught the slight hitch of her breath as she backed away from his hand.

“I’m sorry, I don’t like to be touched” She replied offering a wave instead

“Fair enough” Kane dropped his hand and offered her a reassuring smile.

“You’re not from around here?” Johnny asked, grinning

“No, just passing through I’m from the west, not really, but I could be from the west, I’m heading west. I’m looking for something, I’ll know it when I find it. Trees are nice and all but I like mountains mixed in with mine. Well, I might like the mountains never been, that’s why I’m heading west. I hated the beach. I got an aunt in Louisiana, I stayed there for a couple weeks and didn’t like it. They got gators and one bit me, stupid american murder log. I had to beat it off with a stick, if it had got me in its death roll I’d be done for. Tell me about your special someone. What? I’m open minded” Ember replied,

“You’re an odd little one,” Kane said to her. She just grinned up at him.

“I get that a lot, so tell me about her.” Ember said. Kane had never met anyone like her. How she spoke about bouncing peoples heads off display cabinets seemed like everyday conversation for her. He thought only werewolves carried that kind of aggression.

He told her all about his little mate though and she stood there listening intently to every word he said. The more he spoke of her the more Ember’s face lit up. Her eyes were gleaming when he was done.

“Wow! You talk about her like I think about pizza. My favourite part I think had to be her unique use of napkin dispensers. I’ll have to try that the next time I get into it at the bar.” Ember commented. “Got a picture?” Kane pulled out his phone to show her a picture of Dax and her eyes widened.

“Holy fuck! She’s stunning. Breaking a million girl’s hearts that she’s straight and taken.” That comment made both their eyes widen.

“I’m not a lesbian or anything, but fuck if she hit on me I’d turn. How could you not she’s fucking gorgeous.” She said, still looking at the photo of her.

“I really like her,” Johnny broke out laughing again. Something in the photo caught her eye and she blew up the picture a little bit. They caught the lopsided grin on her face when she looked closely at what she saw.

“Hey uncle!” Ember called into the back, moving away from them as she went to meet her uncle.

“Hey! That’s my pho….she still has my phone” Kane said, Johnny just shrugged.

“That is not a basic girl” Ember said to her uncle when she met him at the door showing him the picture. “And you never said somebody bought it” the smile they saw spread across the uncle’s face when he saw the picture when she showed him something that had both Johnny and Kane curious as to what she saw.

“I don’t tell you a lot of things, kid. Bought the other one to” He replied, his eyes sparkling.

“No shit!” Ember exclaimed, the uncle nodded. Deep in conversation they both ignored the bell above the door when it rang announcing another customer.

“Are we just supposed to stand here and wait?” Kane asked, again Johnny could only shrug. Neither were certain what was going on, but the conversation between the niece and the uncle involved the photo of Dax.

“Fancy meeting you here” the nasally voice of Justine purred in his ear, causing both Kane’s and Johnny’s shoulders to tense. He did nothing to fight the shudder that ripped through his body as he turned away from her. His top lip curled back with how close she was standing to him. Clenching his hands into fists he fought to control himself and Ky in his head. Stupid bitch, make her go away! Ky hissed in his head. His agitation was growing at Justine’s presence.

“You’re not going to talk to me?” She asked, trying to make her voice sultry when the only thing it did was assault their ears. Flinching at the sound of it, Kane pushed Johnny so he could move away from her. Not taking the hint she moved closer to him. When she used her breasts to brush his arm he damn near lost it in the store.

“Holy fucking repulsion, usually when someone turns their back on you and moves away, it generally means they don’t want to talk to you.” Ember said as she moved back towards them. “Pull your skirt down and put your boobs back in your shirt, this is a respectable establishment not a fucking whore house” She commented when she took in Justine’s appearance.

“If it was respectable you wouldn’t be here” Justine sniped at her.

“Oh gawd! If we shove a sock in your mouth will it garble some of the noise you produce, cause holy fuck is that sound annoying. It makes my ears want to bleed. Hell, I think I’m already suffering from internal hemorrhaging.” She quipped back at her, both Kane and Johnny were fighting to control their laughter.

“You really shouldn’t talk to customers like that” Justine snapped,

“Oh, I’m sorry we don’t sell muzzles, try the pet store down the street, but if you’re looking for a ball gag you might want to check the adult shop.” Ember fired back.

“I really really like her,” Johnny repeated as his shoulders started to shake. They thought Dax had a sharp tongue.

“How dare you speak to me like that, do you know who I am?” Justine snapped at her.

“Why don’t you remember?” Ember asked, looking rather confused.

“I know the town founder and if you keep talking to me like this, I’ll tell him and he’ll force this piece of crap jewellry shop to close down.” Justine said.

“I don’t think you do, I think you just like to make yourself more important than you actually are. You’re nobody like the rest of us. If you were actually somebody important, you wouldn’t threaten to do things, you would just do them. But I’ll wait, go ahead give him a call” Ember stood there looking at her. “Do you not remember the number? Too much bleach affecting your delicate little brain? Hey I’ll look it up for you, would it be under town founder or do they actually have a name.” Again Kane and Johnny fought to control themselves. Kane found himself liking this girl as well, she was a little spitfire with her quick tongue. When Justine pushed her suddenly her eyes narrowed, her expression turned dark and her body went rigid. Her skin crawling the second Justine came in contact with her.

“Don’t do that!” Ember warned, touching the shoulder where she was pushed, in hopes of making her skin calm down. Kane and Johnny watched intrigued by her reaction to being touched, they could feel the revulsion coming off her. They knew the feeling too well. It’s what happens when a werewolf is touched by anyone that doesn’t have a strong connection to them. The strange thing is, she doesn’t smell like a werewolf, nor does she bear the mark of one.

“Do what?....this, don’t do this?” Justine pushed her twice more. Johnny and Kane both stepped away, they were not sure what was going to happen but judging by the anger they felt radiating off the girl it wasn’t going to be good. She wasn’t kidding when she said she didn’t like to be touched. Her fingers constantly touching the spot where Justine had dared to push, the more she touched it the angrier she became.

“You’re a very stupid girl and I gave you fair warning. I can banter and bullshit better then the best of them but don’t put your fucking hands on me and not expect me to retaliate.” Ember stated darkly

“What are you gonna do little girl?” Justine went to push her again when Ember’s hand shot out. They heard the grisly snap of some of her fingers. THWACK! THWACK! Watching in stunned silence as not only did the little spitfire break Justine’s fingers but forcefully introduced her face into the display case she was standing in front of not once but twice. When Justine fell to the floor unconscious, a small smile played on the girl’s lips. Doesn’t like to be touched? She fucking hates it! I like this girl! Ky howled with laughter in his head. Of course you do she’s fucking crazy! Kane replied back to him.

“Does that count as hitting someone?” She asked as she leaned over the display cabinet to look down at Justine’s unconscious body on the floor. Her anger had completely dissipated following the altercation and she was back to being calm, and happy.

“No, I think your good” Kane replied,

“Look at that, wishes do come true, that’s the girl who’s head I wanted to bounce off the display case, the one with the cat scratch voice.” The smile widened on Ember’s face as she looked from Kane to Johnny.

“You’re not gonna find anything for your girl up here. You’ll want to go custom. Unique girl’s like yours don’t deserve basic trinkets. Follow me!” Ember started moving towards a back room and stopped at the door waiting for them to follow.

“You’re going to follow her? We just watched her give Justine brain damage and then carry on a normal conversation like nothing happened.” Johnny whispered under his breath.

“What else are we going to do, she still has my phone.” Kane whispered back

“Are you boys coming? I don’t bite….hard anyway.” She said looking at them expectantly.

Following her into the back room where she started pulling down more intricate and delicate pieces for him to look at.

“How come these aren’t out front?” Kane asked as he looked at them.

“My uncle only offers these to specific customers. Anybody can adorn themselves with hunks of metal and rocks, but ones that have delicate features like your girl won’t look good, nor like wearing anything that weighs more than them. And the necklace around her neck looks really good on her.” Ember was pulling more things down as she spoke to them. She would look back at the photo and move around the room, finding more and more.

“Her eyes lit up when she saw it the first time,” Kane replied, watching the girl move around the room, she seemed to be favouring her right shoulder a little bit as she hesitated to reach for items.

“Glad she liked it, it was a bitch to put together, but then all the best pieces are. If you’re not cursing a blue streak by the time you’re done then it’s just an average piece” Ember commented with her back still to them.

“You’re a designer?” Johnny asked,

“No, I’m a photographer, but a girl’s gotta eat in winter too” She said over her shoulder.

She started climbing the shelves to reach items on the top shelf, even though there was a ladder not too far from her that she could have used to help.

“There’s a ladder,” Kane said, pointing to it.

“And give that fucker another opportunity to throw me on the floor, no thanks I’m good” She returned.

“It threw you on the ground?” Johnny asked,

“We had a falling out, it threw me on the floor and I called it some names. We’re not friends anymore” She said looking at him.

“Ok then” Kane could only bite back a smile, this girl was something else. I really like her! Ky repeated.

Kane found some nice rings that he was certain Dax would like, but Ember didn’t seem to be finding what she was looking for. She would look at the photo on his phone then look over the rings on the table, curse and then look back at the phone.

“Ok, pretty girl, talk to me!” She said to the picture of Dax.

“What…” Kane started to say

“Shhh! I said pretty girl, not pretty boy” she silenced him. Kane looked at Johnny who was fighting to control himself.

“UNCLE! Where’s the….” Startling both Kane and Johnny

“Top right corner” He yelled back,

“It’s not there” She called again

“Bottom left drawer” He replied,

“Not there either” She said again

“Far corner” He answered how he knew what she wanted was beyond Kane and Johnny as they watched her move around the room trying to collect what she was after.

“What about….” She called again standing in the middle of the room.

“Wouldn’t be there” He called back

“How about….” she tried again.

“It’s not there Ember” She huffed and stomped her foot, her face getting red, she started muttering under her breath as the flush spread to the tips of her ears.

“Bottom drawer filing cabinet” He called again.

Pulling open the bottom drawer of the cabinet her eyes lit up as she discovered what she was after. Boxing it up, Ember handed it and the phone back to Kane. When he opened the box he was mesmerized by the ring. An intricate vine detail with white and rose gold roses, with onyx, amethyst and sapphire gems set in the middle of them.

“Whoa! That’s pretty amazing” Johnny commented when he saw it.

“Thanks, my uncle will help you up front” She turned away from them and started cleaning up the pieces she brought down.

“Thank you, Ember!” Kane said when he looked at her,

“Hope your girl likes it” She called over her shoulder, never turning around.

Kane paid for the ring and they stepped out of the jewellery store.

“Ok that girl is fucking crazy and holy aggressive” Johnny commented,

“I thought you liked her,” Kane asked as they moved towards the vehicle.

“Don’t get me wrong I do, she’s funny as hell, but you saw what she did. She didn’t even bat an eye at it.” Johnny replied,

“We’re aggressive as well, or do I need to remind you what happened with Black Water or Brighton. Who are we to judge?” Kane said he liked the little spitfire, but even he had to admit her aggression shocked him, again he thought that was only a werewolf trait and not one that would be possessed by a human.

“You’re only defending her because she called you a pretty boy,” Johnny teased.

“Shut up you idiot and get in the fucking truck” Kane grumbled, shaking his head, causing Johnny to laugh more.

They picked Dax, Carter and whatever it was she was working on up at the warehouse and headed back towards home. She had a doctor’s visit and then she was being forced to relax all day, but the plus side was she was going to get to have a bath and that’s what she held on to.

“Did you get everything done you needed done?” Kane asked as she snuggled into him in the backseat.

“Yes and then some. You were late so I used every minute I had” She replied. She looked and sounded tired and though the doctor said rest when she was tired, he didn’t want her to sleep on the ride home. If she was going to nap he’d rather she do it at home in their bed, but keeping her awake was proving to be difficult.

“What were you working on darling?” Johnny asked, trying to help out. “And why is Carter covered in paint?”

“I can’t tell you what I was working on, it’s a secret” she was fighting to stay awake.

“Ok, why is Carter covered in purple and blue paint?” He asked again, trying to hide his laughter.

“It was an accident, I didn’t mean to” she was already defending herself. He could hear Carter starting to laugh and when Dax started cursing under her breath the truck erupted into laughter.

“Oh baby what happened?” Kane asked when the laughter subsided, he held her tighter against him.

“I went to put the paint away and it dropped from my hand smacking off another shelf and flipped. While I was trying to stop the purple paint from spilling I knocked the blue paint off the shelf and Carter was standing underneath” she explained, she felt really bad for what she did, considering he said he would put the paint away and she insisted she could do it.

Dax buried her face into Kane’s chest, when he felt his shirt start to dampen he wrapped his arms around her more to shield her from the others. Why is she crying? Fix it, make her happy! Ky whimpered in his head. She’s tired, she just needs her rest! Maybe they’ll skip the doctors this morning and go later after she has a nap. She has been so busy it has taken its toll on both her body and her mind. Poor mate! Maybe try talking to wolfie again!

“I told Luna it was ok. I wasn’t mad” Carter said from the front seat after she had settled into a light sleep. “She said it wasn’t ok, she made me look like an Easter egg. Purple is not my colour” He added, Johnny cracked up laughing beside him.

“It’s ok Carter. She’s exhausted and her mind is being pulled in so many directions.” He could see Carter biting his lip in the front seat “What is it?” Kane asked.

Johnny stopped laughing at this point as well and he too wanted to hear what Carter was fighting to say.

“I wasn’t supposed to hear it, she’s not as quiet as she thinks she is, but she said….she said….grrrrrr….” Milo surfaced for a second causing Johnny and Kane to look at him wearily, but Carter seemed to get him back under control. “She said Lacey was right when she called her a worthless burden. Lacey said she just makes everyone’s life unbearably hard for no reason, she contributes nothing and just takes from everybody. It’s why she wanted to put the paint away herself, to prove she wasn’t useless.” The pieces started clicking into place for them, why she kept pushing herself forward. Why she wouldn’t relax and take it easy. The rest of the ride to the pack house was silent, each trapped in their own deep thoughts. Makes sense now! Yes it does! I fucking hate that bitch! Me too! How much longer till we can kill her? Couple months! Fuck! Too long! Focus on our mate, help her get stronger! I think wolfie is trying to talk back! If you promise to behave yourself tonight I might think of letting you have control! I can behave! This is serious Ky! Yeah, seriously I can behave! Why did he doubt that? Fuck you asshole, I can behave!

Shower, a nap, lunch, another nap, doctor’s appointment, another nap, supper. Dax was now sitting in the bed she had just woken up from her fourth nap and now she was unsure of what to do next, she was still tired even after all the napping she did, but curling up under the covers sounded real good. What about a bath? She looked towards the bathroom, and that sounded good too. Bubble bath or oil? It would relax her muscles and ease her mind. Put on some music! She would have to wrap her arm in a bag. Light a couple candles! And keep it raised on the edge of the tub. We could practice trying to use the link! She should practise that, maybe the bath would allow her to focus better on it. I could try talking to fido! He has to behave himself! He’s been trying, but I don’t catch it, just his presence! Kane would be happy if I learned that! Maybe bring one of those books brother wolf gave us! I could read more! I think there’s a section that teaches how to growl through the link! I am not making him horny! You know you want to! You’re a bad influence! Come on, it’ll be fun! A smile played on her lips as she wrapped the sheet around herself and got out of the bed and grabbed one of the books Damon gave her to read. How did she nap with their extracurricular activities? Girl, we were exhausted! Nevermind that how was she still not napping? Beats me! I should have listened and slowed down! I understand what you were doing! She….she! She’s wrong! She’s a liar! And they don’t think that! But ho…. Because I am smart, I just know, and I feel it. I don’t feel it! Slow down, and let yourself feel more and think less, you’ll feel it too! Thanks wolfie!

In the bathroom she saw everything she needed to have a bath already for her.

Call when you’re done. I love you!

She smiled more at the note he wrote, was it corny that she loved the little love note he wrote her. He loves us! Which do we want to use? Smell them all! Her excitement started to build. She was going to get to have a bath, finally after what seemed like ages. Running the water she started smelling the scents. Her and wolfie decided on a bubble bath with winter pine and rain. She was still a little upset by what happened at the warehouse with Carter. She wanted his scent around her. She lit a few candles and put on some music. After she wrapped her cast and set up a towel to rest her arm on, she carefully climbed into the tub. Turning off the water she leaned back and started to relax as his scent washed over her. Ready to try! She took a couple deep breaths and let every thought drift from her mind but Kane, she focused on as much of him as she could.

“Hello!” She waited for his reply.

Maybe he can’t hear me! Don’t be discouraged, try again! Dax tried several times to use the link. Each failed attempt had her getting more and more frustrated. Just relax and feel it! Her wolf kept encouraging her to keep trying. Last time, if it doesn’t work then mines broken! Ok! She counted to ten taking deep breath after deep breath. Focusing solely on Kane, his voice, his scent, his face. She let her mind open to him….

“Hello Kane….!”

“Hello baby! How are you?”

“I did it!” He could hear the excitement in her voice at making the connection to him.

“Yes you did! So fucking proud of you. How are you?”

“I’m in the bath”

“Are you ready to get out?”

“I just got in” Should tell him to come and join us! Shh I’m talking! He can’t hear me!

“Actually I can! Baby how did you do that?” Boulder head! Come join us! Shh, you be quiet!

“I don’t know, but my head is starting to hurt now” Hey, I want to have a bath too, let’s go see mate.

“Ky?” MATE! Let’s go asshole!

“Alright baby, just cut the link, I’m on my way”

“How?” Kane could hear the confusion and panic in her voice.

“Stop thinking about me”

“Ok!” She cut the link.

Kane was in the office, they were going over the timeline of events again seeing if they missed anything. I want our mate! She’s sleeping! So, let’s go sleep with her! No, she doesn’t get any sleep when we’re with her! I want our mate! If she’s not sleeping she’s in the bath! We could use a bath, we stink! No Ky! Listen asshole, I want our mate! Calling me an asshole will not get you what you want! Please! What was that? Please! Give her 20 minutes then we’ll go see her.

“We know from the day she was adopted to 17 Looney toons was visiting her. He was too young when he was little. Why didn’t he take her when he stopped being little? What was he waiting for?” Damon asked,

“Maybe White told him to wait. He tried convincing Magnus of what was going on when she was 12. Assuming Magnus and Looney toons are the same age he would have been 16. Should have been big enough to take her then” Kenneth suggested.

“Or he couldn’t risk anything happening to her if he did take her. Don’t forget he was talking to Magnus as both himself and White. If he would have taken her Magnus would have known and gone after them.” Johnny threw out.

“What did he call her in the emails?” Damon asked,

“Angelo!” Marco replied, pulling back up the emails.

“$50 says he called her that to her face when he went to see her” Kane said,

“She wouldn’t remember though, he only went to see her after Carl beat her” Damon said,

“You’re right Dax wouldn’t remember. Wolfie would” Kane replied. He felt something push in his mind then fade out. What was that? I don’t know! He felt it happen a few more times, then nothing. Clearing his mind he waited for it to come again.

“Hello Kane….!”

“Hello baby! How are you?” Its mate, its mate. Mate’s talking to us! Ky was overjoyed that she was talking, then he heard another voice fading in and out.

Kane stood there for fifteen minutes having a conversation with his mate, her wolf, his wolf and himself. He had no idea how that happened, he didn’t even know that was possible. When she said her head was starting to hurt, he had to get to her. Turning quickly he ran out of the office, saying he would explain later.

Taking the stairs two at a time he made it to their floor and down the hall, the bedroom door was barely closed behind him before he was in the bathroom and the tub pulling her into his chest. The grimace on her face told him the headache she was going through was a bad one.

“Ok baby, ok baby. I’m here, I got you!” He kissed her head, brushing the hair from her face. “I got you, I got you.” he scooped her from the tub, wrapped the sheet around her and he brought them back to their bed, not caring that they were both wet. Placing her on his chest he started to rub slow circles at the base of her skull, moving further up her head to behind her ears. She relaxed against him, shifting slightly in his arms.

“Mmmmm” she purred at his movements.

“Feel better baby?” She nodded into his chest but never raised her head. I know how we can make her feel better! You’re not helpful! But we can make her feel even better! Shut up Ky! What? You’re wet, she’s naked wrapped in a bed sheet! Fuck off Ky! Like you weren’t thinking about it already! Dax sat up straddling his waist staring at him wide eyed. Wrapping the sheet more around herself, her mouth moved but nothing would come out.

“That is a horny wolf!” She finally remarked,

“You heard him!” He asked, staring back at her. Uh oh! “How did you hear him? I thought you cut the link”

“I thought I did!” She replied. He’s so pretty, growl, make him horny! Shut up! He can’t hear me, and I can’t talk to Fido. If you don’t growl I will. It’ll be fun! He can hear you! No he can’t, the bath was a one off! No he can hear you! Good, growl get his full attention! Oh I think we have it. Uh oh! This time it was his turn to stare wide eyed at her.

“I don’t understand,” she said. I’m gonna call Fido! No, don’t do that! I want to talk to Fido! Stop! Come on, please! Nyx shut up! Dax grabbed her head, her headache crashed behind her eyes. The throbbing, pulsing, pounding flooded her mind, then vanished like it was never there. What did you call me?

“What did you call her?” Kane asked, sitting up. Is that her name? Ky questioned.

“I….I….I don’t….I don’t know. I don’t understand!” Dax shook her head. One more burst of pain, something clicking into place, combining with her. She felt a pressure….no it was a presence, it felt like someone else was in her head with her, she couldn’t see anything at first then a faint silhouette began to appear. Lying there in her mind’s eye, its chest rising and falling with the gentle steady breaths it was taking, but the form never stirred from its deep slumber.

“Say her name baby, say it again” Kane urged,

“Nyx!” She gasped when she felt a push in her head. Ky! Azure blue eyes stared back at her. She felt a push again as her wolf came forward. MINE! Ky’s mouth crashed down onto hers, his mate finally had a name.